Nigeria has thrown its weight behind Saudi Arabia’s proposal to create a multinational maritime defence alliance aimed at safeguarding global shipping routes and protecting international trade.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that Nigeria is among 14 countries backing the initiative, which is designed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security and address growing threats at sea.
According to the ministry, delegates from 43 of the 51 invited nations attended the meeting where the framework for the alliance was established. The European Union also participated alongside countries including Türkiye, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Sudan and the Comoros.
Saudi authorities said additional countries would be allowed to join the alliance after completing their respective domestic approval processes.
The ministry stated that member nations agreed maritime security is a shared responsibility that requires close collaboration and coordinated action to tackle cross-border and transnational threats.
It was also agreed that Saudi Arabia would serve as the alliance’s founding and leading member, with the organisation’s headquarters to be located in the kingdom.
The initiative comes at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway, which previously handled about one-fifth of global oil and gas exports, has seen major disruptions, raising concerns over global energy supplies and economic stability.
Despite the conflict, Saudi Arabia has continued exporting most of its crude oil through its East-West Pipeline, which transports oil from production facilities in the eastern part of the country to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, reducing its dependence on the Strait of Hormuz.
Nigeria Backs Saudi-Led Multinational Maritime Alliance to Secure Strait of Hormuz
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